Mr Dennis Miller Solena Fuels
Dear Dennis,
Thanks for your reply yesterday.
The HKG proposed incinerator consultants are AECOM.
Herewith attached please see quotes from AECOM regarding gasification.
It seems AECOM will write anything the client directs them to write rather than ‘consulting’ or advising the client.
One would presume that part of the AECOM’s study submission would be data on the moisture content of local MSW and construction waste.
It is a known study fact that the major emissions (over 60% per year) of dioxins from incinerators are when on startup or shutdown for maintenance or breakdown or flue flyash cleanout.
This happens due to a lower burn temperature and the presence of plastics / chlorines in the MSW mix.
The burn temperature is also affected by the presence of MSW that is too wet. I would doubt that operator Chan Fat working on the nightshift at the 2022 incinerator would bother to adjust burn temperatures.
http://ukwin.org.uk/resources/health/dioxins-and-other-harmful-incinerator-emissions/
‘Incinerators have to be shut down on occasion, both for routine maintenance and because of operating problems. It has been observed that during shutdown and startup, the levels of dioxins and other pollutants can be much higher than under optimal operation. Tejima et al [2007] tested the dioxin stack emissions of an MSW incinerator under conditions of startup, steady state and shutdown. They found concentrations of WHO-TEQ dioxin of 36 – 709 mg.m-3 during startup, 2.3 mg.m-3 during steady state operation, and 2.5 – 49 mg.m-3 during shutdown. They estimated that 41% of the total annual emissions could be attributed to the startup period, assuming three startups per year. L.-C. Wang et al [2007] found that a single startup could contribute about 60% of the PCDD/F emissions for one whole year of normal operations; hence, assuming three startups per year, 64% of total annual emissions could come from startup.’
As regards your biodiesel comments please see here:
http://www.epd.gov.hk/epd/english/environmentinhk/air/prob_solutions/cleaning_air_atroad.html
Hong Kong uses Euro V diesel with an extremely low sulphur content. The major problem is NOx emissions in overdeveloped urban canyons the winds cannot reach to disperse.
The previous maladministration mandated fitting soot traps for the older buses but seemed unaware that such units also require the fitting of SCR units since the soot traps increase NOx emissions.
It took a University report to educate them to this fact.
One of our major thoroughfares is Nathan Road and the EPD has estimated that 44% of pollution on that road is caused by buses. Too many routes end up on the same thoroughfares in Mongkok, Causeway Bay and Central. The Government could have mandated certain roads/areas as ‘Clean Air Zones’ where only Euro V, V1, hybrid or electric shuttle buses are permitted entry. All routes should terminate outside the problem areas with hybrid shuttles plying those routes. We are still waiting for the imposition of Clean Air Zones. Buses drive around 95% empty for 80% of the day and are basically moving advertising billboards, albeit a highly convenient service.
Anyway I hope Government take heed of new technology like yours and do not bury their blinkered heads in the ground.
Regards,
James
Plasma Gasification in Renewable Power Generation Michael Zebell Aecom
attached
Air Products second gasplasma plant
22
11
Joint venture company plans £75 million gasification plant in Teesside
by Paul Sanderson
A £75 million gasification plant could be built in Teesside following a joint venture between Teesside company Scott Brothers and Devon firm O2N.
The facility would generate 14MW of energy from 160,000 tonnes of household waste with the firms saying it would be the largest of its type in the UK.
Finance discussions are already well advanced, and subject to planning permission it could be up and running by 2015.
Air Products recently announced that it plans to construct a similar facility in the region.
Scott Brothers Group managing director Frank Cooke said: “Often with gasification technology in the UK projects turn out to be long-term and difficult to get off the ground.
“This is an American design. There are more than 20 similar ones in operation around the world, particularly in Scandinavia and Germany. It’s a tried and tested technology.
“There are some in the UK, but none of this size at the moment. We are in well advanced discussions on finance. We are also talking to both national and local waste suppliers.
“The majority of the electricity created could be used by local chemical companies.”
AECOM will design, construct, procure and operate the facility that will be located on an industrial site formerly belonging to ICI.
Download PDF : Brian-Thompson-WESTINGHOUSE-PLASMA A
Interview with EnergyPark Peterborough
FINAL Waste to Gas Pilot Project press release 22 Feb 2012 A